This page is written by Carol Bauer, a NEM for the Mukwonago BEARs.

Mentors form the basis of the FRC experience. Although engineering and technical mentors share their expertise in their chosen fields while guiding team members to new technical and scientific knowledge and skill levels, Non-Engineering Mentors have much to offer the FRC team.

As a non-engineering mentor who works as a photographer and journalist, I came to Team 930 three years ago simply as a mom who was willing to do anything to help the team. That anything eventually turned into more of everything that didn’t involve engineering or sometimes technology. Along the way, I discovered NEMO (Non-Engineering Mentor Organization) and the vast amount of resources and knowledge it has to offer regarding many aspects of running a FRC team.

NEMO was founded on the principle that non-engineering mentors bring their unique strengths and experiences to the organization and by sharing suggestions and ideas they can make FIRST programs more successful. It is an organization that provides support and information exchange for the non-engineering adults on the team.

With a feather as the NEMO logo (shown right), as in the magic feather of Disney’s Dumbo that gives the elephant confidence to take flight, non-engineering mentors (NEMs) provide the “wind beneath the wings” to help the FRC team get off the ground.

In my three years as a NEM, I have enjoyed finding different ways to allow Team 930 to take flight. Whether through arranging speaking engagements with community groups, assisting team members with demonstrations, coaching in public speaking or essay writing, helping team members discover their unique abilities, or getting the team name in the public eye through newspaper stories, there are many aspects engineers do not have the time to focus on during the busy build season.

NEMs definitely give FRC teams “wind beneath their wings,” no matter where their professional expertise lies. Whether as a journalist or as a nurse (the profession of Team 930′s other NEM, Janna Billetdeaux), everyone brings a plethora of skill that can help the team enjoy success.

Visit the NEMO website to learn more about how you can help your team.